The ACC will allow the Irish to join next season, which means that the only thing standing between Notre Dame and becoming the 15th team in the ACC a year earlier than expected is the exit fee. Notre Dame has a unique deal with the Big East in that they can leave the conference without paying an exit fee as long as they provide 27 months notice. That would draw the process out through 2015, however, which means that Notre Dame is going to have to play to get an early release.

The Catholic 7 schools are expected to announce their plans for withdrawal from the conference this week. Louisville and Rutgers cannot leave the Big East until 2014, as the ACC and the Big Ten, respectively, won’t be ready to add them next season.